Navigating potholes in Hawaii has become a multi-faceted situation. While driving conditions across the state often involve maneuvering around unfathomably deep potholes, you don’t expect it to stop your flight to Hawaii. But now it has, and it started with this week’s problems at Kona. But it isn’t over yet, as Hawaii runway problems also impact Lihue Airport Kauai.
Hawaii ranks among worst potholes in the USA. But at its airports?
Contrary to common misconceptions, potholes are not exclusive to roads and highways but also to airport runways, which are largely constructed of asphalt as well as concrete. Runway cracks and potholes up to 3′ across, as seen this week at Kona airport, don’t just impact regions experiencing harsh winters or extreme rain. And Kona has neither. The potholes result from combined factors that include water absorption, general wear and tear, and the quality of construction and repairs.
Kona Airport’s potholes are just one Hawaii airport issue.
More concerning is that potholes that appeared on the runway at Kona and were so serious as to require the closure of the entire airport. Next it will require a complete overhaul of the runway, set to commence later this year.
The first comment about the situation came from Aaron who said, “The HDOT knew about the pavement issues since 2018. They were cited for excessive FOD on the runway. They did stop gap pavement resurfacing at that time. Another commenter (Hal) asked, “The question remains that since Hawaii is so dependent on air travel for tourism and cargo transport, just how can they allow their critical infrastructure to crumble so badly? Just how competent is Hawaii’s government? This seems to be Third-World performance.” While Kenneth added, “If it is not one thing, it is another at Hawaii airports.”
Chris added, “The runways at our airport are plowed to clear snow down to the pavement many times per winter. I’ve never heard of these runways needing emergency repairs, cracking, etc. It makes me wonder who is doing the paving work in Hawaii.”
Hawaii Department of Transportation said they expect “most” of the runway rehabilitation work to be accomplished in phases and overnight. That “should” eliminate the need for any further runway closures. All bets are off, given how things went for DOT on the initial Honolulu runway remediation as well as the spalling and breaking away of runway concrete that occurred soon after the work was completed that has caused additional headaches.
The $100 million Kona airport runway project is up next.
What is on tap starting later this year (if things go on schedule) is a complete rehabilitation of the entire length of runway 17-35, which is the sole runway at Kona. The project includes new concrete and asphalt pavement.
Plans are for a 5-phased project that will begin before the end of the year and will be completed sometime in 2026 at a cost of approximately $100 million.
The Kona runway was last rehabilitated more than twenty years ago. And in 1992, the runway length was extended to 11,000 feet from its 6,500-foot length. The airport was initially built starting in the late 1960’s.
Assessment and patches were implemented in 2018.
That’s when the deformation of the runway surface was first noted, and again, we aren’t sure by whom. In any event, patching commenced at that point. We don’t know if it’s been ongoing since that point, and there’s simply no information from DOT.
Kauai Airport runway renovation and relocation project will also start this year.
Another $100+ million project is planned to start at Kauai’s Lihue Airport later this year. Whether there could be an interruption of flights is unknown at this time. Hawaii DOT certainly hopes not, but is renowned for unexpected problems. So anything is possible.
The required rehabilitation of Kauai’s runway “Includes replacing the 4-inch asphalt pavement, re-grading as necessary, re-painting all striping and markers, and re-grooving highspeed taxiways.” That is according to the state.
Not only does the runway need rehabilitation, including new asphalt, but it has also not met safety FAA requirements for years, which mandate 1k feet of runway safety area at the end. Lihue has been operating under a temporary exemption to that rule for nearly a decade. Now, however, the runway will both be lengthened and also shifted slightly inland. That, as it is within 300′ of the ocean.
We’re keeping fingers crossed that this time, unlike what happened at HNL, the Hawaii DOT can knock these major runway repairs out of the ballpark. How do you think these major Hawaii airport projects will go?
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2/13/2024 – KOA airport repairs off to a bad start. Were supposed to be done by 6 am but apparently the contractor has a stuck piece of equipment on the runway and won’t be able to move it until 9 am? Hello travel delays!
Is HDOT waiting for something worse to happen, should have taken care of the issues if the issues were known about a long time ago.
The State of Hawaii is what I call, “in-breed”. They are bias against experts from the mainland in their hiring of engineering and construction experts. They must overcome their lack of quality aggregate used in concrete and asphalt. This is the result.
Fingers crossed, this is the state of Hawaii we’re talking about. I’ve tried for two years to get someone to clear the bushes obstructing the views from Wailua and Opeaka”a falls. Still an obstructed view.
There e once a pothole at kaneohe marine base base runway big enough a car could fit in. It was created from a watermain leak
Lived here for 43 years. Nothings changed. People from the mainland don’t get it. This is a 3rd world place. Our healthcare is also deplorable. How about None. Big Island has hardly any Drs left & requiring flying to Oahu for treatment. Now, combine that with an airport that shuts dow. It’s called being stranded. Oh wait, we can drive to the Hilo airport which is a 90 miles one way. Paradise is beautiful but people don’t really see how perilous it can be. Honestly? Life was better before all the tourists started to flock to the state. More people, more flights, more wear & tear on All resources.
Don’t worry Kathy. We tourists have been treated so badly by the locals, we won’t be back. Note that locals get Kamaaina rates and tourists pay through the nose for everything! Aloha! (that means goodbye!)
Hawaii is one of the few states that does not have a Port Authority. I wonder why. Two reasons: The unions control nearly everything in Hawaii that has to do the almighty dollar, technically, they call the shots with every public works project. Second, cronyism and racketeering runs rampant in all government agencies. The state officials would rather “die” than release the purse strings and give up control of the ports. The legislature is the only govt body that can form a separate commission to run the ports.
Why is it seems major repair and upgrading required in Hawaii is not planned and seems to be a surprise. Be it th etc main highway in Kauai the bridge at Hanalei The airport upgrading at Kona, Kauai and Honolulu, the wiring in Lahaina, put off for years until finally it fails and adds in destroying the place. All work that is obvious in need of repairs but put off and put off! So discouraging!
Hawaiian infrastructure is a complete mess. Last place we would think of flying to. The horrible locals who don’t want tourism is the icing on the don’t visit here cake! Even Costa Rica is better at half the price!
Maybe the Kona airport would build a new runway and then rebuild the old runway. Just a suggestion 🙂 Will see how rough it is when I visit in February.
Yes, they should have 2 runways in Kona but where will they get the money? This is an impoverished state & our only way of collecting revenue is tourism. Not good & really not a sound strategy.
It’s not just Hawaii, this sort of thing has been /is occurring all across the country. A general decline in competence in all sectors is the causality. People may not want to hear it, but we all know it’s true. It’s just more pronounced and visible in Hawaii because it’s such a small place and even small problems are highly visible. No politician is willing to risk their career to propose genuine fixes and insist on accountability. Until that happens (which will only occur when things are so bad there’s no other option)) No one will cry “The Emperor has NO clothes”!… JMHO
Best Regards
BOH…have you looked into OGG?
Governor Green and his incompetent administration should be embarrassed with their stewardship of Hawaii’s airport infrastructure. There is no excuse in the 21st century for this type of total mismanagement. The citizens of Hawaii need to clean house and vote these politicians out of office!
The airports have been operating badly for some 60 years. Don’t blame Green only, all the past governors are guilty. Its the way Hawaii rolls.
Hello Daryl, really? Green has been on the for maybe a year. These problems started before he was even in government. Give me a break. Put the blame where it belongs.
The airports should be under an airport commission not the transportation department.
Kona should have a second main runway made of high density concrete.
The closing of Kona airport planes should have been diverted to Hilo and busses used to bring travelers to from Kona. No emergency plans inplace! What good is it to be diverted to Honolulu? Just have to wait there.
Should the military pay some of the cost?
– The lowest bidder for the Kona Airport runway rehabilitation project
is Jas W. Glover Ltd at 81 million dollars. The highest bidder was Goodfellow Brothers at 105 million dollars
-The engineers estimate for this project was in between 95 and 105 million dollars
– The project is scheduled to start in November 2024 and be completed in Spring of 2026
– The project will be done in five phases. The contractor will be mandated to have the runway operational after each workday or face heavy fines.
I’m sure Gov Green will come up with another tax that we tourists will have to pay for.